Shloka 53
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
हयेषु विनियुक्तेषु विमुखो5भवदाहवे । स सत्यजितमालोक्य तथा विमुखमाहवे,सत्यजितके घोड़े, ध्वजा, धनुष, मुट्ठी तथा पार्श्वरक्षक एवं सारथि दोनोंको अर्जुनने क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया। इस प्रकार बार-बार धनुषके छिलन्न-भिन्न होने और घोड़ोंके मारे जानेपर सत्यजित् समर-भूमिसे भाग गये। राजन! उन्हें इस तरह युद्धसे विमुख हुआ देख पंचालनरेश ट्रुपदने पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनपर बड़े वेगसे बाणोंकी वर्षा प्रारम्भ की। तब विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने उनसे बड़ा भारी युद्ध प्रारम्भ किया
hayesu viniyukteṣu vimukho 'bhavad āhave | sa satyajitam ālokya tathā vimukham āhave ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When his horses had been struck down and rendered unserviceable, he turned away from the battle. Seeing Satyajit thus withdrawing from the fight, the encounter shifted: Satyajit, repeatedly deprived of his bow and steeds, fled the field. Observing him become averse to combat in this manner, King Drupada of the Pañcālas began to shower Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, with swift volleys of arrows. Then Arjuna—foremost among victorious heroes—entered into a fierce battle with him. The episode underscores the warrior’s code in which steadfastness under pressure is praised, while retreat under repeated disarmament and loss of support marks a collapse of martial resolve, prompting the next responsible combatant to take up the contest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya-dharma: steadfastness and responsibility in battle are honored, while losing one’s means (horses, bow) and turning away signals a breakdown of martial resolve; the narrative then moves to the next accountable warrior (Drupada) who continues the contest.
Satyajit, after his horses are disabled and his fighting capacity repeatedly compromised, withdraws and flees. Seeing this, Drupada begins a rapid arrow-shower against Arjuna, and Arjuna responds by engaging Drupada in a major fight.